The flowering plants are divided into two
groups. The Monocotyledonae and the Dicotyledonae. Below are the
five most basic differences that are, for the most part, rather predictive and
visible. Some of these are linked to further discussion. Also, in
the end, click here for a self-examination of this concept.

Monocot

Classification

Dicot

3's or multiples of 6,
rarely more than six

Flower Parts

4, or 5, or multiples up to
10

Parallel Venation

Leaf Venation

Netted Venation

Monocots have scattered
vascular bundles throughout the stem.

Internal Stem Anatomy

Dicots have vascular bundles only on the perimeter of
the stem.

Normally the one cotyledon
never emerges in germination, being used up by the growing embryo.

Number of Cotyledons

Typically, you can
see the two cotyledons when some seeds of this group germinate. They
provide energy for early growth, but dry up as photosynthetic leaves are
produced.

In the Fibrous root system
of Monocots, the primary root is almost
non-existent. The secondary roots are important in absorption, but are not
as deep as the primary root of most dicots.